Illuminated sign apparatus



Feb. '28, 1950 H. c. HAMMER ILLUMINATED SIGN APPARATUS F'ile d Dec. 10, 1947 Patented Feb. 28, 1950 "ILLUMINATED SIGN APPARATUS Hy 0. Hammer, Chicago; assignorto' Hamme Brothers, Incorporated; Chicago, 'Ill'. u

Application December 10, mimosa mam.- 7

.: comma. cut -1 30i) This invention relates toilluminated sign apparatus and the like.

An object'ofthe' invention is to provide anovel means for illuminating a sign whereby; the indicia upon the sign are made to stand. out with a glowing or accentuated appearance. Yet another object isto' provide-av simple sign structure wherein light from a cold cathode tube or other luminous tube is employed for edge illumination of transparent plates, the plates being so de signed. with respect to color and translucency as to produce a novel effect in the illumination of the indicia of the sign. Yet another object is to provide novel frame structure wherein the sign parts are brought together and maintained in a novel and eifective arrangement. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of sign apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a broken rear view in elevation; Fig. 3, an enlarged transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3--3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4, an enlarged sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 44 of Fig. 2.

In the illustration given, l designates a metal strip formed in the shape of a tube with the end i I overlapping the end l2. In the tubular casing thus provided, I secure at spaced intervals suspension brackets 13 formed of plastic or other suitable material. If desired, a rubber or other resilient body ma be employed to form a portion of the bracket.

In the illustration given, the bracket I3 is held in place by the metal screw parts M. The inner end of the bracket is provided with laterally-extending arms l5 which receive a flexible element l6 for confining a luminous tube l1 against the member l5. .At one corner of the sign, I provide an angular terminal socket I8 receiving both ends of the luminous tube [1. The member l8 may be provided with an electrode at ane end of the tube and an electrode at the other end of the tube whereby electrons may be emitted from the firing point of one electrode and pass through the tube to the other electrode, the tube, of course, being provided with the usual means for increasing the luminosity thereof. Instead of the cold cathode tube illustrated, it will be understood that any other suitable type of tube or source of light may be employed.

In the structure illustrated, I provide a bracket support .1 carried. by the wall. Ill. on thefinner side. thereof andreceiving the edges of'the plates 20 and'Z l- The bracket lfiicarries, a metal frame 22 provided on its inner side with a resilientlrim 23 of rubber or other suitable material for sup porting at spaced intervals the lates 2!! and, 2!". The spaced supports 22 firmly hold the. plates 2B andlZ'l inthe relation shown in Figs, 3jand.4 with the main edge portions of; the plates ZDfand '2] exposed. to the light from the luminous tube I11 With this arrangement, the'light' emitted from the tube l1 passes directly through the edges of the plates 28 and 2 I.

The plates 20 and 2| are preferably formed of materials having a different rate of transmission of light. For example, I prefer that plate 20 be formed of a dark colored material or a differently colored material from the color of plate 2|. Plate 2| may be formed of colored glass or plastic or of other relatively transparent material. In the illustration given, I provide a back plate 20 formed of dark amber and a front plate 2|, for example, formed of colored glass. Upon the back of the glass plate 2 I, I form the letters 24 spelling out the word sign. It will be understood that any indicia, either in the form of lettering or figures, etc., may be employed.

Operation In the operation of the sign, electric current is admitted to the electrode at one end of the tube and electrons passing from such electrode to the opposite electrode bring about the illumination of the tube throughout its length. Light passes inwardly through the edges of the plates 20 and 2| and bring about an unusual lighting effect around the lettering 24. I have found that the employment of a differently colored back plate 20 gives a glowing or accentuating edge effect about the lettering which makes the lettering stand out with unusual brilliance. Such effect is not produced by an ordinary glass upon which the lettering is formed and which is edge illuminated. By employing a front transparent sheet and a rear translucent or colored sheet, lettering or decorative material being placed between the sheets, the effect of light passing through the two sheets of material from the edges thereof creates unusual effects about the indicia, giving coloring or glowing effects which seem to project the .indicia forwardly in relief. By having the luminous tube enclose the entire plates, the efiects just described are uniform in character and produce no distortion in the results. The introduction of light through all four sides of the plates seems to produce a cumulative 'eflect, building up the edge colors about the indicia.

The sign structure is extremely simple, with a tubular frame serving as a housing for the light tube and also as a means for supporting the plates in edge relation thereto.

While I have shown certain specific details as illustrating one mode of employment of the invention, it will be understood that such details may be modified widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In illuminated sign apparatus, a frame, a light source extending about the frame, a plurality of plates of contrasting colors and carried in said frame with their edges exposed to said light source, and indicia carried between said plates.

2. In illuminated sign apparatus, a frame, a perimetric light source extending around the frame, a plurality of plates differing in color and carried in said frame with their edges exposed to said light source, and indicia carried between said plates, the rearmost of said plates being dark colored and the foremost of said plates being clear.

3. In illuminated sign apparatus, a frame providing a continuous tubular border, a luminous tube housed within said tubular border, at least two light-permeable plates carried in said tuplates;

4 bular border with their edges exposed on all sides to the light from said luminous tube, and indicia carried by said forward plate, said rear plate being dark colored and said front plate being clear. 4. In illuminated sign apparatus, a tubular frame, a cold cathode tube extending through said frame, means for illuminating said tube, a plurality of light-permeable plates carried in said frame with their edges exposed to said light tube, means on said frame for supporting at spaced intervals said plates thereon, at least the rear plate being of a color different from that of the transparent front plate, and indicia between said HY C. HAMMER.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

